Service, Sacrifice, and access to meals

November 11th was originally named Armistice Day to recognize the armistice signed marking the end of World War I.  After World War II  countries began to use the name Remembrance Day/ All Veteran's Day (later shortened to "Veterans Day" in addition to Armistice Day to recognize the veterans of all subsequent conflicts/wars.

Today as we salute say thanks, and show gratitude to the women and men who have served and currently serve in all branches of service, I thought about these women and get access to balanced, nutritious meals. I sometimes see images on television  of soldiers eating in makeshift mess halls, but  in high conflict and combat zones I recognize  this is just not possible.   
 

image courtesy of the internet

In my Father's Day post I  mentioned that my father served in the Navy's Construction Battalion ( aka Seabees). One tour of duty I remember clearly was when he was deployed to Vietnam. When he returned to the United States, he brought  many things with him, including C-rations.



image courtesy of Georgia outfitters

image courtesy of Wikipedia

 According to Wikipedia, the C-Ration, or Type C ration, was an individual canned, pre-cooked, and prepared wet ration. It was intended to be issued to U.S. military land forces when fresh food (A-ration) or packaged unprepared food (B-ration) prepared in mess halls or field kitchens was impractical or not available, and when a survival ration (K-ration or D-ration) was insufficient. Development began in 1938 with the first rations being field tested in 1940 and wide-scale adoption following soon after. Operational conditions often caused the C-ration to be standardized for field issue regardless of environmental suitability or weight limitations.

In 1958 the C-Ration was replaced by the Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI) but was still commonly referred to as C-Ration. In 1981 the MCI was officially replaced by the Meal, Ready to Eat (MRE).

While these meals don't replace a meal with loved ones, family, and friends it is good to know that these meals provide sustenance. There also organizations that send food items to troops (e.g. Operation Gratitude and Halloween Candy Buy Back).

A heartfelt thanks to all the women and men who have served and currently serve in all branches of service.

Be well,

Technicolor  girl

image created by Ink+LLC